I was grateful to have Parid as my driver again for today’s tour of more temples and some UNESCO world heritage sites. The first stop was Tanah Lot Temple. Tanah Lot is one of the seven Balinese sea temples along the southwestern coast of the island and its name in Balinese means “land (in the) sea”. The main deity of the temple is Dewa Baruna or Bhatara Segara, the sea god or sea power. It is claimed to be the work of the 16th-century religious figure Dang Hyang Nirartha, who was significantly influenced by Hinduism.
Sadly, we arrived at high tide and with the wild weather the ocean was rough. I wouldn’t want to be on a boat out in that. Non the less it was worth getting soaked for 🤣🤣.
The next stop was Taman Ayun Temple built in 1634 AD by the King of the Mengwi Kingdom, I Gusti Agung Putu, to serve as the royal family temple and a center of worship for his ancestors and the people of Mengwi. The name “Taman Ayun” means “Beautiful Garden,” reflecting its surrounding gardens, ponds, and water features. The temple, a significant cultural and historical landmark, features intricate Balinese architecture, multi-tiered meru towers, and represents the cosmic Mount Meru. In 2012, UNESCO awarded Taman Ayun Temple as part of a world cultural tourism site.
When we first arrived it wasn’t raining, well my oh my did the heavens reopen, I’m sure the rain cloud had followed us from Tanah Lot. During the walk around Dom had sent me a message saying “Tropical rain hits different! Like is the umbrella really helping?!” Cheers sis. No the umbrella was not helping and I was soaked, and I’m sure Parid had given me an umbrella with a hole in it 🤣🤣. Again another beautiful temple that I’m sure would look even better in the sun.
We then headed towards the Jatiluwih rice terrace but first we stopped at the Junglegold chocolate factory. Here you could try all the different flavour chocolates for free presumably that some sucker will buy some on the off chance – that sucker was me. I can’t even remember what flavour I bought, I think milk chocolate, watermelon and perhaps orange or was it Earl Grey. I will find out when I unpack, actually I wonder if I should put it in my hand luggage – it will be hot in Dubai?! But then Bali is hot so surely they don’t sell chocolate that just melts. 🤷🏻♀️
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are Bali’s largest rice fields, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for their impressive, expansive views and the ancient Subak irrigation system. Located at about 700 meters above sea level in the central highlands and surrounded by fertile hills near Mount Batukaru, the name “Jatiluwih” translates to “really beautiful” in Balinese. Whilst here we walked through the terraces, tried some dried fruits, had a drink and got soaked when the heavens opened once again. Oh and Parid tried on one of the hats 🤣.
Our final stop was the Ulun Danu Beratan. This temple lies on the shores of Lake Beratan up in the mountains. On the way up to the temple you could barely see the moped in front of you as we were up in the clouds and rain. Before we arrived we tried some freshly cooked corn from a stall on the side of the road, it was so sweet and crunchy.
I was thinking that I wouldn’t even be able to see this temple, but when we arrived the cloud lifted slightly to show an impressive temple in the lake waters. Built in 1633, the temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. The 11-storey pelinggih meru is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvathi. Buddha’s statue is also enshrined in this temple. This temple is also called the “Bali temple on the Lake” because it looks as if it is floating when the Bratan River rises.
This was my final “touristy” day. The remaining 48 hours will be left to relaxation 🙏🏼.
Flying Solo 